Member News:

Liberty Bank Presents "Attack the Sound" at Haas Park

Come join us in Haas Park for a free live concert from "Attack the Sound" with special guests Elisa Hunt and Dj MantiCarlo who will be keeping everyone moving and the beautiful Shartia Divine will be hosting this event. This is an all ages event with some amazing vendors!! So come out, and jam with us!

Boomshakalaka! NBA JAM's 25th Anniversary at All Star Press

25 years after Midway Games' NBA Jam changed video games and fueled interest in professional basketball, All Star Press and VGA Gallery are delighted to present an exhibition celebrating this iconic title.It features the playable game cabinet itself, artifacts from NBA Jam's development and history, and a suite of new artwork by acclaimed artists from around the world, inspired by the game.

The meticulously restored Dan Ryan mansion is among the century-old rarely seen historic homes and churches on this year’s walk. Experienced docents will guide participants through the homes, discuss the unique interior and exterior architecture, and provide insight on the property’s historical significance. As a bonus feature, this year’s walk will also feature a collection of vintage cars parked along Logan Boulevard. Please allow at least 4 hours to complete the house walk. We are also offering a discounted $10.00 membership to Logan Square Preservation. Consider supporting our efforts to protect the history and buildings of Logan Square.

Make plans now to attend this always-popular event.

Look Up at the 606 and See What You Have Been Missing

Every day is a great day on The 606, but we hope you’ll join us this season for a few special activities—some on the trail, some off, some large, some small—but all designed to connect you to the trail, the parks, and your neighbors.

City Lit Books Logan Square's Independent Bookseller

Deuces at The Pink Squirrel

Every Tuesday, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pink Squirrel
2414 N. Milwaukee Av.

Grab your ace bowling partner, your best pal or your significant other and get to The Pink Squirrel for Deuces Competitive Duckpin Bowling. There is a $10.00 cash buy-in per team, the winners take home a $50.00 gift certificate to The Pink Squirrel. Or go to watch and enjoy the $8.00 featured cocktail.
Space is limited, sign up here.

Champagne Dim Sum Brunch at Friendship Chinese Restaurant

Some gourmands believe that dim sum inspired the whole idea of "brunch" - the combining of breakfast and lunch into one perfect, mid-morning meal. Now you can enjoy dim sum in Logan Square all weekend. Friendship Restaurant is serving up a Champagne Dim Sum brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

St. Sylvester School "Mom n' Tot" program

St. Sylvester School
3027 W Palmer Square

St. Sylvester School would like to invite you all to our Mom n' Tot program.
This is a dynamic and fun program designed to stimulate each area of development in babies and toddlers through activity games: cognitive, language, motor skills and socio-emotional. The toddlers will join in for fun interactive sessions on music, foreign language, fitness, storytelling and more! This is a fully packed program for moms with busy toddlers on the move!

Mom n' Tot classes offer an excellent opportunity to interact with other new moms and babies.

Help Local Men By Donating

Northside Latin Progress works to improve the economic and spiritual life of local men. Help by donating used men's bikes, tools, blankets, towels, jeans, boots, construction shoes, tennis shoes sizes 6 1/2 and up, t-shirts, raingear, hot plates, gift cetificates to grocery stores or cash. Items can be delivered to the Resurrection Church office, 3043 N Francisco, weekdays, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm (please do not leave donations in the blue box in the lot) or after hours to the porch at 1917 N. Kedzie. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Come join us in Haas Park for a free live concert from "Attack the Sound" with special guests Elisa Hunt and Dj MantiCarlo who will be keeping everyone moving and the beautiful Shartia Divine will be hosting this event. This is an all ages event with some amazing vendors!! So come out, and jam with us!

Small Business Center Website

Preview the Small Business Center website, a one-stop destination for small business owners and entrepreneurs, for information on licenses, permits, and additional resources available to small businesses in Chicago. Please send your feedback to smallbusinesscenter@cityofchicago.org.

Events

Monthly Business Education Workshops

In the opinion of the Logan Square Chamber this is the most effective investment in time any small business or entrepreneur can make.

The Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers workshops every Wednesday and Friday. Workshops will vary each month and are conducted by City Officials, experts and partner business organizations. All workshops are free, and open to the public. Workshops are held at BACP's offices located at 121 N. LaSalle St., City Hall Room 805, Chicago, IL 60602. Facebook facebook.com/ChicagoBACP?fref=nf
Business Start-Up Certificate Program

BACP is also offering a program designed to give business owners the essential elements in starting and growing a business.

* Attend nine workshops at BACP and earn a Business Start-Up Certificate.
* Learn the essentials in business planning, financing, marketing, legal issues, technology and more.
* Participation is free and optional.
* Complete the program workshops within six months and walk away with a certificate issued by the City Colleges of Chicago.
* Earn your certificate and get free expert advice on your business plan.
* Register for the Business Start-Up Certificate Program at any BACP workshop.
* The City of Chicago's Small Business Center (SBC) has partnered with The CIBC Bank to make entrepreneurs who complete the city's Business Start-Up Certificate Program eligible to apply for low-interest and no-fee loans through the bank's Entrepreneurial Loan Program.
Program participants who complete the curriculum will now qualify to apply for The CIBC Bank Entrepreneurial Loan. This low-interest, no-fee loan can range from $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000 for new businesses and $25,000 for businesses with one-year of filed tax returns. All financing decisions are made by the bank.

For more information or to register for a workshop call 312-744-5344. or download calendar:

Score Workshops Webinars and Seminars

Learn from the experts with SCORE’s small business training workshops. SCORE Chicago offers over 200 workshops and seminars annually at either nominal or no cost at multiple locations throughout Chicago.

Employment Opportunities

The Census Bureau's Chicago Regional Office is currently seeking Field Representatives in Cook County to interview respondents.
Call for Test scheduling at 1-800-865-6384, Extension 15
To view job vacancy announcements, qualifications, and instructions on how to apply, Click Here
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An EMT is an Emergency Medical Technician. These are the first responders who’s duty it is to assess, stabilize and transport patients in a medical emergency. To qualify you must be:
-a female and head of household
-earning between $10,000-$40,000 per year (recently unemployed applicants will also be considered)
-valid driver's license
-a clean record, both criminal and driving
-fluent in English
-good basic math and reading skills
-able to work legally in the United Statesclick here to learn more and to apply.
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Those with sophomore students in high school considering careers of service in the Chicago Police or Fire Departments are encouraged to attend one of several recruitment and information sessions for the Class of 2017 coming up in the next few months.
For more information and to apply click here
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Bilingual Employees Needed at O'Hare
Are you looking for a new job opportunity? More than 100 bilingual workers are needed at O'Hare. Tasks include office cleaning, maid service, janitorial, and more. These are full-time positions. All shifts available. Some weekend work is required. Health benefits are included.
More information here.
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The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has job openings available. If you would like to see the job listings and want more information, please click here.

Scam and Fraud Alerts

Senior Citizens Alert!
There have been reports of attempted burglaries of seniors homes. In order to gain access to the houses, teams of men pose as utility workers. These men usually work in teams of two or three. Once inside, one will distract the resident while the other(s) goes around the house looking for items to steal. If someone comes to your door saying they are from a city department or utility company, always ask for identification. If they refuse to show it, close your door and call 911 immediately. Try to provide a detailed description of the people, including a description of their car. If they do show you identification, but you still do not feel comfortable letting these people inside, call 911 as well.
-Never provide social security or personal information to anyone initiating contact with you claiming to be a utility representative or requesting you to send money to another person or entity other than your local utility providers. -Always ask to see a company photo ID before allowing any utility worker into your home or business. -Employees should not be wearing clothing with old or defaced company logos. If you have any doubts, ask to see a company photo ID. -Never make payment for services to anyone coming to the door. -Call your utility about the possible scam
ComEd 1-800-EDISON1 Peoples Gas 866-556-6001
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From the Illinois Secretary of State

Corporate Scam Alert— A firm called Corporate Records Service is contacting Illinois businesses in an attempt to collect a $125 fee to fill out a corporation’s “Annual Minutes Records Form.” The Illinois Business Corporation Act does not require corporations to file a “Minutes Records Form” or pay such a fee with the state or any private entity. Please contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Consumer Fraud Division at 800-243-0618 to file a complaint regarding this scam solicitation.

From the IRS

The Internal Revenue Service today issued an alert to payroll and human resources professionals to beware of an emerging phishing email scheme that purports to be from company executives and requests personal information on employees. The IRS has learned this scheme already has claimed several victims as payroll and human resources offices mistakenly email payroll data including Forms W-2 that contain Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information to cybercriminals posing as company executives. If your CEO appears to be emailing you for a list of company employees, check it out before you respond. Everyone has a responsibility to remain diligent about confirming the identity of people requesting personal information about employees.

Every tax season unsuspecting Chicagoans fall victim to tax preparation firms that use hidden charges and recommend unnecessary and expensive tax refund products like Refund Anticipation Loans (RALS) or Refund Anticipation Checks (RACS) to make a profit at the expense of citizens' deserved tax refunds. For more information click here
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Always Be Alert

The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection protects consumers from deception and fraud in the marketplace. We accept and investigate complaints submitted online or via 311. BACP promotes consumer awareness to help consumers protect themselves.
BACP urges consumers to file a complaint when defrauded or scammed. Begin: File your complaint online at cityofchicago.org/311, by calling 311 (outside Chicago: 312.744.5000) or by texting 311311. Action: Depending on your complaint type, our department or another City department will follow-up by requesting additional information. Cite: With the info you provide, the department may issue citations against the individual or company. Protect: We track the number and pattern of complaints to ensure a fair marketplace for all consumers.
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MasterCard Phone Scam Hits Northern Illinois

Many consumers in Northern Illinois are reporting that they are receiving automated messages stating that their MasterCard has been compromised. The consumer is instructed to call and verify their information in order to get a new card. The Better Business Bureau warns that if an automated system calls asking for credit card information it is probably a scam. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is offering tips on what consumers need to know to protect themselves. If you should receive one of these calls you should: Not return a call from a pre-recorded message. If speaking to a live "operator" ask for his/or her name, department and extension. Then hang up call the number on the back of your card and ask for that person. Never provide personal or financial information to someone you do not know. Feel free to just hang-up. Using the number on the back of your card or on your statement call the credit card company that issued your card if you have security questions or concerns.
Read the full report on the BBB website.
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FRAUD ALERT: Warning for Property Owners in Cook County

The Cook County Recorder of Deeds encourages all property owners to sign up for notification every time paperwork is filed regarding their property.More information.
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ComED Phone Payment Scams

ComEd warns of individuals calling ComEd customers and falsely claiming their service will be disconnected unless payment is made. ComED will never call you to ask you for cash or request that you purchase a prepaid credit card to make a payment on your bill. If you have concerns about the status of your account, please call ComEd Customer Service at 800-334-7661. Visit comed.com/scamalert to learn more.
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IRS Warns About Continuing Scam Phone Calls

The IRS is continuing to warning to taxpayers not to be fooled by impostors posing as tax agency representatives. These callers may demand money or may say you have a refund due and try to trick you into sharing private information. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. If you don't answer, they often leave an "urgent" callback request. If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here's what you should do: If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. The IRS workers can help you with a payment issue. If you know you don't owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 800-366-4484 or at www.tigta.gov. If you've been targeted by this scam, also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their "FTC Complaint Assistant" at ftc.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments of your complaint. Remember, too, the IRS does not use email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue. For more information on reporting tax scams, go to www.irs.gov.
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To help consumers stay safe, BACP has launched a campaign to ensure consumers know their rights when it comes to credit and avoid becoming victims of fraud. "The City of Chicago protects consumers from fraud by resolving complaints and taking action against fraudulent businesses," said Commissioner Maria Guerra Lapacek of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. "We also take a proactive approach by promoting consumer awareness through educational campaigns to help people protect themselves."

Commercial Real Estate Locator

Commercial Real Estate available for lease or for sale in Logan Square.

Please try visiting the City of Chicago's new Site Selector online program:worldbusinesschicago.com/siteselector
Site Selector is a free service for small business owners looking for commercial and industrial space in Chicago. This also helps brokers and property owners promote available properties in the city. Chambers of Commerce or what the City is now calling Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) will work with local property owners to identify properties in their communities that are for lease though not listed with a broker and will post availability on Site Selector. Posting and searching for listings are both free.